Tension means for aerial tramways

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for tensioning an aerial tramway endless cable having three or more runs or reaches such that adjacent or opposing runs diverge from a corresponding supporting pulley whose supporting carriage is biased outwardly so as to move inwardly and outwardly in accordance with variations in the load on the cable. Tracking means is provided for maintaining the diverging opposing runs in proper engagement with corresponding cable supporting roller means adjacent the pulley to ensure that the cable will not creep off of the roller means as the divergence angle of the opposing runs of the cable tends to vary coincident with the movements of the carriage.

United States Patent 1 1 Golorth et a1.

[ 51 Apr. 24,1973

1 1 TENSlON MEANS FOR AERIAL TRAMWAYS [75] Inventors: Samuel P. Goforth; Joseph A.

Goforth, both of Shelby, NC.

[73] Assignee: Goforth Brothers, Inc., Shelby, NC.

[22] Filed: May 19, 1971 211 App1.No.: 144,868

[52] US. Cl ..104/l17., 254/178 [51] Int. Cl. ..B6lb 7/14 [58] Field ofSearch ..l04/114,112, 117;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,109,371 9/1914 Thunhart ..104/117 3,071,083 1/1963 Hochmuth ..104/1l7 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 52.387 12/1966 Poland ..104/1 17 Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-George F. Abraham Attorney-Warley L. Parrott et' a1.

57 ABSTRACT Apparatus for tensioning an aerial tramway endless cable having three or more runs or reaches such that adjacent or opposing runs diverge from a corresponding supporting pulley whose supporting carriage is biased outwardly so as to move inwardly and outwardly in accordance with variations in the load on the cable. Tracking means is provided for maintaining the diverging opposing runs in proper engagement with corresponding cable supporting roller means adjacent the pulley to ensure that the cable will not creep off of the roller means as the divergence angle of the opposing runs of the cable tends to vary coincident with the movements of the carriage.

11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 24 ms iii] 1 0?. 4

PATENTEDAPR 24 m3.

sum 3 OF 4 TENSION MEANS FOR AERIAL TRAMWAYS This invention relates to aerial tramways for transporting loads from place to place and is particularly concerned with passenger-carrying tramways for ski lifts and other amusement transportation.

Generally, amusement types of aerial tramways heretofore utilized include elevated load-supporting endless cables mounted on a pair of spaced pulleys with suitable intervening supporting rollers spaced between the pulleys, and wherein opposing runs of the cable are disposed in substantially parallel relationship. Tramcars, chairs or other passenger carriers are suspendingly supported by the cable and therefore are subject to swinging motion which imposes varying load forces on the cable. More importantly, the loading on the cable varies according to the number of passenger carriers which may be occupied, according to the number of passengers aboard the various carriers, and during loading and unloading operations. Therefore, is common practice to provide some form of yieldable tension means for the cable so as to keep the same from sagging excessively between adjacent supports therefor and to prevent breaking of the cable or overstressing of the supports for the pulleys about which the cable is entrained. A known and preferred type of tension means for this purpose is in the form of a movable carriage on which one or the other of the cable pulleys is mounted, with a counterweight connected to and applying outward force to the pulley carriage.

Now, we have devised an aerial tramway whose loadsupporting endless cable is provided with at least three runs such that adjacent opposing runs extend in diverging relationship from each cable supporting pulley. However, difficulties have been encountered in utilizing a tension means of the general type mentioned above, in that the corresponding diverging runs of the cable would tend to slip or creep off of the necessary supporting rollers upon which the portions of the diverging runs adjacent the movable pulley are supin the form of first tracking members engaging proximal surfaces of the opposing runs of the cable adjacent the pulley, but located further from the pulley than the first pair of roller means, and a pair of second tracking members also engages proximal surfaces of the opposing diverging runs, but occupy fixed positions adjacent the aforementioned second roller means and are spaced between the first tracking members and the second roller means so that, although the angle of divergence of the opposing runs of the cable may vary between the first and second tracking members, the angle of divergence of those portions of the opposing runs extending between the tension pulley and the first tracking members on the one hand, and extending between the second roller means and the second tracking members on the other hand, remain substantially constant throughout normal movement of the carriage means and its pulley.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanyings drawings, in which ported. It is apparent that such a condition would present a safety hazard.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless conveyor cable, wherein an outwardly biased movable carriage means rotatable supports a tension pulley which engages and forms a bight in the cable and from which opposing runs of the cable extend in diverging relationship, and wherein novel tracking means is provided for maintaining the opposing runs of the cable in proper engagement and alignment with supporting roller means adjacent the pulley throughout any inward and outward movement of the pulley and its carriage means incident to variations in the load on the cable.

In its preferred embodiment, the invention includes a first pair of supporting roller means rotatable on substantially horizontal axes closely adjacent diametrically opposite portions of the tension pulley and supporting respective opposing runs of the cable thereon, with a second pair of roller means also rotatable on substantially horizontal axes spaced a substantial distance from the first roller means and also supporting the respective opposing runs of the cable thereon. Although the angle of divergence of the opposing runs of the cable tends to vary with inward and outward movement of the carriage means and its pulley, as effected by variations in the load on the cable, novel tracking means is provided FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an aerial tramway showing the improved tension apparatus for the endless conveyor cable thereof;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the cable tensioning apparatus with the carriage means and its pulley shown occupying their outermost positions in solid lines and occupying their innermost positions in broken lines;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation looking up at the lower side of FIG. 2, with portions of the supporting standards broken away;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the upper right-hand portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation, partially in section, taken substantially along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation of the carriage, partially in section, taken substantially along line 66 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of one of the tracking means and adjacent supporting roller means for the cable taken substantially along line 7-7 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevation looking at the righthand side of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation showing another of the tracking means for a corresponding run of the cable and being taken substantially along line 9-9 in FIG. 2.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the elevated load-supporting endless conveyor cable of the tramway is broadly designated at 10 and suspendingly supports thereon a plurality of spaced apart passenger carriers or tramcars 11. As shown in FIG. 1, cable 10 is entrained about a plurality of spaced apart relatively large flanged pulleys mounted on substantially vertical axes, there being three such pulleys shown in this instance designated at 12, 13 and 14. Each of the pulleys engages and forms a corresponding bight in cable 10, thus causing the cable 10 to have three runs 10a, 10b, 100, such that adjacent opposing runs of cable 10 extend from each pulley 12, 13, 14 in diverging relationship.

Pulley 13 may be driven by a suitable electrically controlled drive means shown schematically at 13a in FIG. 1, and which may be activated and deactivated by a manually operable switch 13b interposed in an electrical circuit to drive means 13a. Pulleys l3, 14 may be supported in a wall known manner on respective masts or standards, not shown, and a suitable loading platform 15 may be provided adjacent and below pulley 13 to facilitate the loading and unloading of passengers with respect to the passenger carriers 1 1.

In order to maintain cable 10 under predetermined but yieldable tension, the invention includes a tension apparatus, of which'pulley 12 is a part, and which biases pulley l2 outwardly with respect to the adjacent opposing diverging runs 10a, 10b of cable 10. In this regard, it should be noted, with reference to FIG. 2, that the opposing runs 10a, 10b of cable 10 extend at an acute included angle of divergence which preferably is no more than about 30 to 45.

Pulley 12 is rotatably supported, as at 12a, by an elongate substantially horizontally disposed carriage means whose opposing side rails 20a, 20b are supported upon outer and inner rollers or shafts 21, 22, respectively disposed outwardly of and inwardly of pulley l2, and arranged to permit inward and outward movement of the carriage means 20' along a path substantially bisecting the angle between opposing runs of cable 10. Outer shaft 21 is journaled in bearings 21a mounted on the upper ends of a pair of laterally spaced standards or posts 21b, and inner shaft 22 is journaled in bearings 22a mounted on a transverse frame member 22b suitably secured to a pair of laterally spaced standards or posts 220. i

A predetermined outward force is applied to carriage means 20, and thus to tension pulley 12, by a counterweight means 24 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6) connected to the lower ends of a pair of cables 24a which extend upwardly and partially around respective grooved pulleys 24b and then inwardly, where they are connected to anchor elements 240 suitably secured to and depending from the opposing side rails 20a, 20b of carriage means I 20 (FIG. 4). Pulleys 24b are mounted on a common transverse shaft 24d journaled in a pair of bearings 24e. Bearings 242 are secured on respective rearwardly extending bars or frame members 24f whose inner or front portions are suitably secured to the respective standards 21b, and whose rear portions are suitably secured to additional respective standards 243.

In order to limit the extent of inward and outward movement of carriage means 20, a pair of longitudinally spaced, hook-shaped limiting abutments 20c, 20d, is suitably secured to and depends from the rear portion of each side rail 20a, 20b and straddles outer shaft 21. Thus, in the event of carriage means 20 being moved inwardly, from right to left in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, beyond its desired safe range of movement, outer abutments 20c will engage and be restrained by shaft 21. Conversely, in the event of outward movement of carriage means 20 beyond the desired safe range of movement thereof, inner abutments 20d will engage and be restrained by shaft 21. There are various reasons why carriage means 20 may tend to move beyond the desired safe limits, such as by breakage of conveyor cable 10 or counterweight cables 24a, overloading of conveyor cable 10, or by accidental lateral displacement of cable 10 out of engagement with any supporting members which may be provided to normally bow the cable above or below a straight line between adjacent pulleys 12, l3, 14. As a further safety measure, whenever carriage means 20 moves beyond safe limits, such that either abutment 20c, 20d engages shaft 21, respective switch actuating abutments 20e, 20f (FIGS. 4 and 6) on carriage means 20 will engage and move a finger 20g to actuate a normally closed switch 20h interposed in the electrical circuit to the drive means 13a (FIG. 1) and thereby stop further movement of conveyor cable 10.

In order to support the weight of cable 10 and its passenger carriers 11 adjacent tension pulley 12 while maintaining cable 10 in proper alignment between the flanges of pulley 12, a pair of first cable supporting roller means 30, 31 and a pair of second cable supporting roller means 32, 33 are provided inwardly of that bight of cable 10 engaging pulley 12. The first roller means 30, 31 comprise respective peripherally grooved rollers 30a, 31a engaged by the respective diverging runs 10a, 10b which extend over the rollers 30a, 31a. Rollers 30a, 3111 are rotatable on substantially horizontal axes closely adjacent diametrically opposite portions of tension pulley l2, and the axes of rollers 30a, 31a also preferably extend substantially perpendicular to the mean angle of divergence of the respective cable runs 10a, 10b. To this end, grooved rollers 30a, 31a are fixed on the outer portions of respective shafts 30b, 31b, rotatably mounted on the outer portions of respective arms 30c, 31 c (FIGS. 2, 7, and 8) which converge inwardly and are suitably secured to an underframe 20i (FIG. 3) of carriage means 20. Underframe 20i underlies and extends forwardly of tension pulley 12, and the forward or inner portion of underframe 20i is suitably secured to the side rails 20a, 20b of carriage means 20.

The second supporting roller means 32, 33 are spaced a substantial distance inwardly or forwardly from the first roller means 30, 31, but are spaced a substantially greater distance apart from each other than the first supporting roller means 30, 31 so as to be properly aligned with the mean path of travel of the diverging runs 10a, 10b. As shown, by way of example, the second supporting roller means 32, 33 are spaced from the first supporting roller means 30, 31 a distance about equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of tension pulley 12.

Each second roller means 32, 33 comprises a series of peripherally grooved rollers 32a mounted on substantially horizontal axes in a corresponding frame 32b. In this instance, each frame 32b rotatably supports four supporting rollers 32a over which the corresponding run of cable 10 passes, and each frame 32b is pivotally mounted, as at 320, on one end of a cantilever arm 32d carried by a standard or post 32e.

As tension pulley 12 is caused to move inwardly and outwardly toward and away from pulleys 13, 14 with variations in the load on cable 10, the angle of divergence of the opposing runs 10a, 10b of cable 10 tend to vary and would, in the absence of some form of compensating means or tracking means, tend to cause cable 10 to slip or creep off the supporting roller means 30-33 to cause an accident. Therefore, according to. the invention, tracking means are provided for maintaining a substantially constant divergence angle between at least those portions of the opposing runs 10a, 10b engaging the respective first and second roller means to ensure that cable will not creep off of the roller means as tension pulley I2 and its carriage means move inwardly and outwardly. Accordingly, a pair of first tracking members 34, 35 carried by and movable with carriage means 20, engages proximal surfaces of the opposing runs 10a, 10b of cable it) closely adjacent and inwardly of the respective supporting roller means 30, 31. Similarly, a pair of second tracking members 36, 37 occupy fixed positions closely adjacent and outwardly or rearwardly of the respective second roller means 32, 33 and also engage proximal surfaces of the opposing runs 10a, 10b of cable 10. As shown, and as is preferred, each tracking member 34-37 is in the form of a wide flanged pulley or drum supported for rotation on a substantially vertical axis. Each first tracking member or drum 34, 35 is journaled on a respective bracket 34a (FIGS. 7 and 8) suitably secured to the outer portion of an arm 34b. As shown in FIG. 1, the two arms 34b converge inwardly and are suitably secured to the underframe 20i (FIG. 3) of carriage means 20.

The substantially vertical shaft of each second tracking member or drum 36, 37 is journaled on a corresponding bracket 36a suitably secured to a cantilever arm 36b. Each cantilever arm 36b is suitably secured to a cross member 360 extending between and suitably secured to the corresponding standards or posts 22c, 32e (FIGS. 2 and 3).

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the first supporting roller means 30, 31 (FIG. 2), the first tracking members 34, 35, tension pulley 12 and carriage means 20 move inwardly and outwardly in fixed relationship relative to pulleys 13', 14 (FIG. 1), the second supporting roller means 32, 33 and the second tracking members 36, 37 in accordance with respective increases and decreases in the magnitude of the load on conveyor cable 10. During such inward and outward movement of carriage means 20, although there is a tendency for the angle of divergence between the opposing runs 10a, 10b to vary from the tension pulley 12 to the other cable supporting pulleys 13, 14, it should be noted that the only changes effected in the angular positions of the opposing runs 10a,'10b occur in those portions of the opposing runs 10a, 10b which are disposed between the respective sets of tracking members 34, 36 and 35, 37.

On the other hand, since the first tracking members or drums 34, 35 always move inwardly and outwardly in unison with and closely adjacent and inwardly of the respective first roller means 30, 31, tracking members 34, 35 always maintain a substantially constant divergence angle between those portions of the runs 10a, 10b extending from the bight of cable 10 in engagement with tension pulley 12, past the first roller means 30, 31 and to the first tracking members 34, 35. Similarly, the second tracking members 36, 37 maintain the portions of the opposing runs 10a, 10b extending from the respective pulleys 14, 13 thereto in respective predetermined paths; i.e., the divergence angle between the latter portions of the opposing runs 10a, 10b are not subject to variations by the inward and outward movement of carriage means 20 and tension pulley 12, with the result that the tracking members and drums 36, 37 maintain the respective opposing runs 10a, 10b of cable 10 in longitudinal alignment with the respective series of rollers 32a of the respective second supporting roller means 32, 33.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

That which is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless cable of an aerial tramway including a tension pulley engaging a bight of said cable and from which opposing runs of said cable extend in diverging relationship, outwardly biased carriage means rotatably supporting said pulley for inward and outward movement in accordance with variations in the load on said cable and in a path substantially bisecting the space between said opposing runs such that the angle of divergence of said opposing runs tends to vary with inward and outward movement of said carriage means and said pulley, a pair of first supporting roller means rotatable on substantially horizontal axes closely adjacent diametrically opposite portions of said pulley and supporting respective runs of said cable thereon, a pair of second supporting roller means rotatable on substantially horizontal axes spaced a substantial distance from said first roller means and also supporting said respective runs of said cable thereon, and tracking means for maintaining a substantially constant divergenceangle'between at least those portions of said opposing runs engaging the respective first and second roller means to ensure that the cable will not creep off of said roller means as said pulley moves along said path.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first supporting roller means is carried by and movable along said path with said carriage means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said tracking means includes a pair of tracking members also carried by and movable with said carriage means, said tracking members being positioned against the proximal surfaces of said opposing runs and adjacent the respective first roller means, and each of said first roller means being positioned between said tension pulley and the respective adjacent tracking member.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tracking means comprises a pair of first tracking members engaging proximal surfaces of said runs adjacent said tension pulley but located further away from said tension pulley than said first pair of roller means, and a pair of second tracking members also engaging proximal surfaces of said runs, but occupying fixed positions adjacent said second roller means and spaced between said first tracking members and said second roller means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of said tracking members comprises a pulley mounted for rotation on a substantially vertical axis.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pair of first supporting roller means comprises a pair of peripherally grooved rollers supported by said carriage means for rotation about respective substantially horizontal axes extending substantially perpendicular to the respective opposing runs of said cable.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second pair of roller means each comprises a series of peripherally grooved supporting rollers.

8; Apparatus according to claim 1, including limiting means for limiting the range of movement of said carriage means and including a pair of spaced apart limiting abutments carried by said carriage means, and a stationary member disposed between said limiting abutments and engagable thereby in alternation in the event of inward and outward movement of said carriage means beyond predetermined safe limits for restraining said carriage means against further movement in a corresponding direction.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, including means for driving said cable, and means operatively associated with said carriage means for interrupting operation of said driving means upon engagement of either of said limiting abutments with said stationary means.

10. Apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless cable of an aerial tramway including a tension pulley engaging said cable, outwardly biased carriage means rotatably supporting said tension pulley on a substantially vertical axis and for inward and outward movement in accordance with variations in the load on said cable and in a path substantially bisecting adjacent opposing runs of said cable, a pair of supporting roller means carried by and movable with said carriage means for rotation on respective substantially horizontal axes closely adjacent diametrically opposite portions of said tension pulley and supporting respective ones of said runs of said cable thereon, a pair of tracking members also carried by said carriage means and movable therewith, said tracking members being positioned against the proximal surfaces of said opposing runs and adjacent the respective supporting roller means, each of said supporting roller means being positioned between said tension pulley and the respective adjacent tracking member, and said tracking members serving to maintain the cable runs in alignment with the respective supporting roller means to ensure that the cable runs will not creep off of said roller means as said tension pulley moves along said path.

11. Apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless cable of an aerial tramway including a tension pulley engaging a bight of said cable, an outwardly biased movable carriage means rotatably supporting said pulley for inward and outward movement in a horizontal path and in a plane substantially bisecting the space between opposing runs of said cable extending away from said tension pulley, a pair of spaced limiting abutments carried by said carriage means, stationary means normally spaced between said pair of limiting abutments and being engageable thereby in alternation to limit respective inward and outward movements of said carriage means, means for driving said endless cable, and means operatively associated with said carriage means for interrupting operation of said driving means whenever either of said limiting abutments. engages said stationary means positioned therebetweenv 

1. Apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless cable of an aerial tramway including a tension pulley engaging a bight of said cable and from which opposing runs of said cable extend in diverging relationship, outwardly biased carriage means rotatably supporting said pulley for inward and outward movement in accordance with variations in the load on said cable and in a path substantially bisecting the space between said opposing runs such that the angle of divergence of said opposing runs tends to vary with inward and outward movement of said carriage means and said pulley, a pair of first supporting roller means rotatable on substantially horizontal axes closely adjacent diametrically opposite portions of said pulley and supporting respective runs of said cable thereon, a pair of second supporting roller means rotatable on substantially horizontal axes spaced a substantial distance from said first roller means and also supporting said respective runs of said cable thereon, and tracking means for maintaining a substantially constant divergence Angle between at least those portions of said opposing runs engaging the respective first and second roller means to ensure that the cable will not creep off of said roller means as said pulley moves along said path.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first supporting roller means is carried by and movable along said path with said carriage means.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said tracking means includes a pair of tracking members also carried by and movable with said carriage means, said tracking members being positioned against the proximal surfaces of said opposing runs and adjacent the respective first roller means, and each of said first roller means being positioned between said tension pulley and the respective adjacent tracking member.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tracking means comprises a pair of first tracking members engaging proximal surfaces of said runs adjacent said tension pulley but located further away from said tension pulley than said first pair of roller means, and a pair of second tracking members also engaging proximal surfaces of said runs, but occupying fixed positions adjacent said second roller means and spaced between said first tracking members and said second roller means.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of said tracking members comprises a pulley mounted for rotation on a substantially vertical axis.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pair of first supporting roller means comprises a pair of peripherally grooved rollers supported by said carriage means for rotation about respective substantially horizontal axes extending substantially perpendicular to the respective opposing runs of said cable.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second pair of roller means each comprises a series of peripherally grooved supporting rollers.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, including limiting means for limiting the range of movement of said carriage means and including a pair of spaced apart limiting abutments carried by said carriage means, and a stationary member disposed between said limiting abutments and engagable thereby in alternation in the event of inward and outward movement of said carriage means beyond predetermined safe limits for restraining said carriage means against further movement in a corresponding direction.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, including means for driving said cable, and means operatively associated with said carriage means for interrupting operation of said driving means upon engagement of either of said limiting abutments with said stationary means.
 10. Apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless cable of an aerial tramway including a tension pulley engaging said cable, outwardly biased carriage means rotatably supporting said tension pulley on a substantially vertical axis and for inward and outward movement in accordance with variations in the load on said cable and in a path substantially bisecting adjacent opposing runs of said cable, a pair of supporting roller means carried by and movable with said carriage means for rotation on respective substantially horizontal axes closely adjacent diametrically opposite portions of said tension pulley and supporting respective ones of said runs of said cable thereon, a pair of tracking members also carried by said carriage means and movable therewith, said tracking members being positioned against the proximal surfaces of said opposing runs and adjacent the respective supporting roller means, each of said supporting roller means being positioned between said tension pulley and the respective adjacent tracking member, and said tracking members serving to maintain the cable runs in alignment with the respective supporting roller means to ensure that the cable runs will not creep off of said roller means as said tension pulley moves along said path.
 11. Apparatus for tensioning a load-supporting endless cable of an aerial tramway including a tenSion pulley engaging a bight of said cable, an outwardly biased movable carriage means rotatably supporting said pulley for inward and outward movement in a horizontal path and in a plane substantially bisecting the space between opposing runs of said cable extending away from said tension pulley, a pair of spaced limiting abutments carried by said carriage means, stationary means normally spaced between said pair of limiting abutments and being engageable thereby in alternation to limit respective inward and outward movements of said carriage means, means for driving said endless cable, and means operatively associated with said carriage means for interrupting operation of said driving means whenever either of said limiting abutments engages said stationary means positioned therebetween. 